Kearney: A Community Enhanced by English Language Learners

“I came to Nebraska when I was 15. I am who I am because of my teacher,” panelist Juan Carlos Guzman shared during the February News Channel Nebraska Community Live Forum event.

The advisor in the UNK Office of Multicultural Affairs was one of five community members who participated in Kearney’s première screening of Seeds of Hope and its immigrant and refugee panel discussion.

With around 150 students in the Migrant Education Program, Kearney is no stranger to English Language Learners (ELL) in their classrooms. Kearney High School counselor, Tanya Holoubeck, shared that teachers get to make vital connections with ELL students in Bearcat Time, an advisory time the school sets aside daily to work on socio-emotional learning and career and skills assessments with all students. Beyond this special time, teachers build trust with their students as they adapt to the school culture, and they then can assess more of their needs both at school and at home.

The panelists.

Although all the panelists work with ELL students in different capacities, there was one thing they all experienced: Kearney Public Schools have been enhanced by the vibrancy and diversity their ELL students bring.

Watch the Forum Discussion

Tune in at 38:30 to catch the full discussion and read more from The Grand Island Independent. This film series and its accompanying panel discussion are part of a monthly special Community Live Forum event between News Channel Nebraska and Nebraska Loves Public Schools.